Ridgewell Becomes A Baggie

West Brom have confirmed the signing of Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell on a two and a half year contract.

The fee of course remains undisclosed, but the Baggies do have a twelve month option to keep the player for a further year.

Ridgewell went to the West Brom training ground this morning and successfully passed a medical after both parties had agreed personal terms, although the signing came too late for Ridgewell to be included in the squad for tomorrow`s fixture with Swansea City.

West Brom manager Roy Hodgson said: 'Liam is a very experienced defender and has the added benefit of being left-sided. We do not have many of those defenders at the club.

'He can also play in two positions (left-back and centre-back) and he is used to playing in teams under pressure to get results to stay in the league.

'We hope we won't be one of those teams under pressure but, if we are, it is good to have someone of that experience.

'Liam was a transfer target last summer and since the start of this January but negotiations have been long and arduous which is often the case.'